---
title: "A Modern American Dilemma"
author: "Amber Spry, PhD; Shayla Nunnally, Ph.D."
date: "2/25/2026"
output: html_document
---

## A Modern American Dilemma: How American Identity Shapes Support for the Black Lives Matter Movement

## Project Overview
This project explores the theoretical assumptions of superordinate identity theory, examining how an overarching American identity influences attitudes toward the Black Lives Matter movement.

## Authors
Amber Spry, Ph.D.
Shayla Nunnally, Ph.D.

## Date
February 2026

## Research Questions
1. How do expressions of American identity influence support for the Black Lives Matter movement?
2. Does the relationship between American identity and Black Lives Matter support differ by race?
3. What are the underlying dimensions of American identity?

## Data
Source: 2016 Collaborative Multiracial Post-Election Survey
Sample: White and Black respondents 

Key variables:
- DV: Support for Black Lives Matter (c228)
- IV: Importance of American identity (c194)

## Main Analysis Files
- '2026_sprynunnally_source.R' - Source file to clean variables, run before other files.
- '2026_sprynunnally_linearmodels.R' - Linear models
- '2026_sprynunnally_expFA.R' - Exploratory factor analysis
- '2026_sprynunnally_conFA.R' - Confirmatory factor analysis


## Key Findings

### Linear Models
Although Black and White respondents express similarly strong levels of a superordinate “American identity,” American identity moderates Black and White support for Black Lives Matter inconsistently, and at times in opposing directions.

### Factor Analyses
Three dimensions of American identity: Values, practice, belonging

## Methods

### Empirical Analyses
1. OLS regression 
2. Exploratory Factor Analysis
3. Confirmatory Factor Analysis

### How to Reproduce This Analysis

1. Download CMPS 2016 data: https://www.icpsr.umich.edu/web/ICPSR/studies/38040
2. Run scripts in order:
- '2026_sprynunnally_source.R'
- '2026_sprynunnally_linearmodels.R'
- '2026_sprynunnally_expFA.R'
- '2026_sprynunnally_conFA.R'

## Notes
- All analyses use survey weights ('weight' variable)







